COAST GUARD TERMINATES FISHING TRIP AFTER FINDING INTOXICATED CREWMAN

BOSTON – The Coast Guard ended the voyage of a New Bedford, Mass., based fishing boat today in Vineyard Sound after a crewman failed a sobriety test.

One of the four crewmen aboard the 73-foot Competition failed field sobriety tests conducted by a boarding team from Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Mass., about 5:30 p.m.

Upon coordination with the First District Headquarters in Boston, the Station Woods Hole crew terminated Competition’s voyage and escorted the boat and crew to Great Harbor in Woods Hole, where breathalyzer tests were conducted. One crewman registered 0.15 and another registered 0.12. The legal alcohol limit for anyone aboard a fishing vessel is 0.04.

The Competition crew was instructed not to get underway again until personnel from Marine Safety Office New Bedford, Mass., reinspect the vessel and crew Wednesday morning.

“It is absolutely vital that everyone aboard a working vessel be sober at all times,” said Ted Harrington, the First District Chief of Vessel Compliance Oversight. “Fishing is already the most dangerous occupation in the world, and if we find a fishing crew that is operating under the influence, we’re going take action to make sure they’re no longer a threat to themselves and others.”